absurdity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n who_o teach_v that_o in_o every_o miracle_n god_n act_v by_o a_o power_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o that_o of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o universal_a law_n by_o he_o ordain_v and_o fix_v for_o government_n of_o his_o creature_n v._o to_o effect_v this_o i_o persuade_v myself_o i_o need_v do_v no_o more_o but_o convince_v the_o judicious_a reader_n of_o the_o verity_n of_o these_o four_o thing_n 1._o that_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n happen_v or_o come_v to_o pass_v contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o that_o nature_n keep_v a_o eternal_a fix_v and_o immutable_a order_n 2._o that_o from_o miracle_n we_o can_v come_v to_o understand_v and_o certain_o know_v either_o the_o essence_n or_o existence_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o that_o all_o these_o may_v far_o better_o be_v collect_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n 3._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o by_o the_o decree_n and_o volition_n and_o consequent_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o very_a same_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o his_o eternal_a law_n 4._o that_o most_o man_n have_v err_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v well_o prove_v i_o see_v not_o what_o can_v remain_v to_o frustrate_v my_o present_a design_n vi_o as_o for_o the_o first_o therefore_o viz._n that_o all_o event_n happen_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a order_n of_o nature_n this_o may_v easy_o be_v infer_v even_o from_o hence_o that_o whatsoever_o god_n will_v or_o determine_v involve_v eternal_a necessity_n and_o truth_n for_o since_o the_o intellect_n of_o god_n be_v not_o distinguish_v from_o his_o will_n and_o therefore_o to_o say_v that_o god_n will_v any_o thing_n be_v all_o one_o with_o say_v that_o he_o understand_v that_o very_a thing_n by_o the_o same_o necessity_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n it_o be_v a_o genuine_a and_o inevitable_a consequence_n that_o for_o god_n to_o understand_v any_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v be_v for_o he_o to_o will_n or_o decree_v the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v but_o since_o nothing_o be_v necessary_o true_a but_o only_o from_o the_o divine_a decree_n hence_o it_o most_o clear_o follow_v that_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o mere_a decree_n of_o god_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o necessity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n if_o therefore_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v contingent_a in_o nature_n that_o shall_v be_v repugnant_a to_o her_o eternal_a law_n the_o same_o will_v be_v repugnant_a also_o to_o the_o divine_a decree_n intellect_n and_o nature_n or_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v affirm_v that_o god_n do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n he_o will_v be_v compel_v to_o grant_v also_o that_o god_n act_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a the_o same_o may_v be_v far_o prove_v also_o by_o this_o that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n no_o other_o but_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o god_n and_o certain_o that_o must_v be_v eternal_o the_o same_o or_o immutable_a nothing_o therefore_o can_v be_v contingent_a in_o nature_n that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o her_o universal_a law_n nay_o that_o be_v not_o convenient_a or_o agreeable_a to_o they_o or_o follow_v not_o from_o they_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v do_v be_v do_v by_o the_o will_n and_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n i._n e._n be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o rule_n which_o involve_v eternal_a necessity_n and_o truth_n and_o which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o all_o know_v to_o we_o be_v perpetual_o without_o the_o least_o omission_n or_o deviation_n strict_o observe_v by_o nature_n nor_o do_v any_o sound_a reason_n urge_v we_o to_o ascribe_v a_o limit_a power_n and_o virtue_n to_o she_o or_o to_o think_v that_o her_o law_n be_v fit_a only_o for_o some_o certain_a event_n and_o not_o for_o all_o for_o since_o the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o god_n and_o her_o law_n and_o rule_n his_o decree_n as_o be_v just_a now_o prove_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v infinite_a and_o her_o law_n so_o make_v as_o to_o extend_v their_o force_n to_o all_o thing_n conceive_v by_o the_o divine_a understanding_n otherwise_o we_o can_v not_o avoid_v run_v into_o that_o dangerous_a error_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o god_n have_v create_v nature_n so_o impotent_a and_o give_v her_o law_n and_o rule_n so_o barren_a as_o that_o he_o be_v compel_v sometime_o to_o help_v she_o by_o new_a ordinance_n and_o supply_n of_o virtue_n in_o order_n to_o her_o support_n and_o conservation_n and_o that_o thing_n may_v succeed_v according_a to_o his_o intention_n and_o design_n a_o error_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o alien_a from_o reason_n nothing_o more_o unworthy_a the_o majesty_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n now_o from_o these_o position_n that_o in_o nature_n nothing_o can_v happen_v or_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o her_o law_n and_o that_o her_o law_n extend_v themselves_o to_o all_o thing_n conceive_v by_o the_o divine_a understanding_n and_o in_o fine_a that_o nature_n keep_v a_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n from_o these_o undeniable_a truth_n i_o say_v it_o most_o clear_o follow_v that_o the_o name_n of_o a_o miracle_n can_v be_v otherwise_o understand_v than_o respective_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o man_n and_o that_o a_o miracle_n signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o work_n the_o natural_a cause_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o explicate_v by_o the_o example_n of_o another_o usual_o observe_v by_o we_o at_o least_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o explicate_v who_o write_v or_o relate_v the_o miracle_n i_o may_v say_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v that_o of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o explain_v the_o cause_n from_o the_o principle_n we_o understand_v of_o natural_a thing_n but_o because_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v ad_fw-la capio_fw-la vulgi_fw-la to_o convince_v the_o vulgar_a which_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n certain_a it_o be_v the_o ancient_n take_v that_o for_o a_o miracle_n which_o they_o can_v not_o explain_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n by_o which_o the_o vulgar_a be_v wont_a to_o explain_v natural_a thing_n namely_o by_o recur_v to_o memory_n so_o as_o to_o recall_v to_o mind_v another_o like_a thing_n which_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o imagine_v without_o admiration_n for_o the_o vulgar_a always_o think_v they_o then_o sufficient_o understand_v any_o thing_n when_o they_o do_v not_o admire_v it_o nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o either_o the_o ancient_n in_o their_o time_n or_o any_o of_o their_o successor_n since_o even_o down_o to_o we_o have_v have_v any_o other_o criterion_n or_o rule_n whereby_o to_o discern_v miracle_n from_o other_o contingent_n i._n e._n insolite_fw-la or_o rare_a event_n from_o usual_a beside_o this_o here_o mention_v viz_o that_o these_o seem_v capable_a of_o explication_n from_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n but_o those_o not_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o forbid_v to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o sacred_a write_n themselves_o many_o thing_n be_v relate_v as_o miracle_n of_o which_o sufficient_a cause_n may_v be_v give_v from_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o that_o too_o without_o any_o the_o least_o derogation_n from_o either_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o writer_n or_o from_o the_o scope_n or_o end_n for_o which_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o write_v as_o i_o design_v to_o prove_v when_o i_o shall_v have_v conduct_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o 4_o the_o and_o last_o head_n of_o this_o brief_a discourse_n which_o concern_v the_o interpretation_n of_o miracle_n for_o now_o the_o clew_n of_o my_o method_n bring_v we_o to_o the_o vii_o second_o position_n viz._n that_o from_o miracle_n neither_o the_o essence_n nor_o the_o existence_n nor_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n can_v be_v understand_v by_o we_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o all_o these_o may_v be_v better_o perceive_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o invariable_a order_n of_o nature_n which_o to_o demonstrate_v i_o thus_o proceed_v forasmuch_o as_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v not_o per_fw-la se_fw-la know_v to_o we_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v necessary_o conclude_v from_o notion_n who_o verity_n be_v so_o evident_a firm_a and_o impregnable_a that_o no_o power_n can_v be_v give_v or_o conceive_v by_o
which_o they_o can_v be_v change_v to_o we_o at_o least_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o we_o conclude_v upon_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n from_o they_o they_o ought_v to_o appear_v such_o if_o we_o will_v secure_v our_o conclusion_n from_o all_o possible_a doubt_n for_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v that_o those_o notion_n may_v be_v change_v by_o any_o power_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v then_o shall_v we_o doubt_v of_o their_o verity_n and_o consequent_o of_o that_o of_o our_o conclusion_n also_o namely_o of_o god_n existence_n nor_o can_v we_o ever_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o other_o thing_n whatever_o beside_o this_o we_o know_v not_o this_o or_o that_o thing_n to_o be_v according_a to_o nature_n or_o repugnant_a to_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v evince_v the_o same_o to_o be_v convenient_a or_o repugnant_a to_o those_o fundamental_a notion_n or_o principle_n wherefore_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v any_o thing_n in_o nature_n possible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o power_n whatever_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o nature_n that_o thing_n will_v be_v repugnant_a to_o those_o first_o notion_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v reject_v as_o absurd_a or_o else_o as_o be_v just_a now_o intimate_v we_o must_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o first_o notion_n and_o by_o consequence_n also_o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n what_o ever_o and_o howsoever_o perceive_v miracle_n then_o if_o understand_v to_o be_v work_v repugnant_a to_o the_o fix_a order_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o far_o from_o evince_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o will_v make_v we_o doubt_v of_o it_o when_o without_o they_o we_o may_v be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o same_o know_v that_o all_o thing_n in_o nature_n follow_v a_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n but_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o what_o can_v be_v explicate_v by_o natural_a cause_n be_v a_o miracle_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v two_o way_n either_o as_o that_o which_o have_v indeed_o natural_a cause_n but_o such_o as_o can_v be_v investigate_v by_o humane_a understanding_n or_o as_o that_o which_o have_v no_o cause_n but_o only_o the_o will_n of_o god_n now_o because_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o natural_a cause_n be_v do_v also_o by_o the_o sole_a power_n and_o will_n of_o god_n we_o be_v under_o a_o plain_a necessity_n of_o come_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o a_o miracle_n whether_o it_o be_v effect_v by_o natural_a cause_n or_o not_o be_v a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n but_o from_o a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n we_o can_v know_v nothing_o for_o whatever_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v must_v come_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o either_o by_o itself_o or_o by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v therefore_o from_o a_o miracle_n or_o work_n that_o transcend_v our_o capacity_n we_o can_v understand_v neither_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n nor_o his_o existence_n nor_o his_o providence_n nor_o any_o thing_n else_o concern_v he_o or_o his_o minister_n nature_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a since_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v determine_v and_o decree_v by_o god_n that_o the_o operation_n of_o nature_n follow_v from_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o eternal_a decree_n and_o volition_n of_o god_n we_o be_v oblige_v absolute_o to_o conclude_v that_o we_o so_o much_o the_o better_a know_v god_n and_o his_o will_n by_o how_o much_o the_o better_o we_o know_v natural_a thing_n and_o more_o clear_o understand_v how_o they_o depend_v upon_o their_o first_o cause_n and_o how_o they_o operate_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a law_n of_o nature_n wherefore_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o understanding_n those_o work_n that_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v be_v with_o much_o more_o right_a to_o be_v call_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v refer_v to_o his_o will_n than_o those_o we_o do_v not_o at_o all_o understand_v although_o they_o strong_o exercise_v the_o imagination_n and_o ravish_v man_n into_o admiration_n of_o they_o forasmuch_o as_o only_o those_o work_n of_o nature_n which_o we_o clear_o and_o distinct_o understand_v render_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n more_o sublime_a and_o most_o clear_o show_v his_o will_n and_o decree_n they_o therefore_o that_o when_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v a_o thing_n have_v recourse_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n talk_v impertinent_o show_v more_o of_o bigotry_n than_o wit_n and_o ridiculous_o profess_v their_o ignorance_n viii_o moreover_o can_v we_o conclude_v any_o thing_n from_o miracle_n yet_o we_o can_v never_o thence_o conclude_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n for_o since_o a_o miracle_n be_v a_o work_n limit_v and_o never_o imply_v any_o but_o a_o certain_a and_o limit_a power_n most_o certain_a and_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o from_o such_o a_o effect_n we_o can_v right_o infer_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o cause_n who_o power_n be_v infinite_a but_o at_o most_o of_o a_o cause_n who_o power_n be_v great_a i_o say_v at_o most_o because_o from_o many_o cause_n concur_v there_o may_v follow_v some_o work_n who_o force_n and_o power_n be_v indeed_o less_o than_o the_o power_n of_o all_o its_o cause_n put_v together_o but_o far_o great_a than_o the_o power_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o take_v singular_o but_o because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v extend_v themselves_o to_o infinite_a thing_n and_o be_v conceive_v by_o we_o under_o a_o certain_a semblance_n of_o eternity_n and_o nature_n according_a to_o they_o proceed_v in_o a_o certain_a and_o immutable_a order_n those_o very_a law_n do_v in_o some_o measure_n indicate_v to_o we_o the_o infinity_o eternity_n and_o immutability_n of_o god_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o by_o miracle_n we_o can_v know_v god_n and_o his_o existence_n and_o his_o providence_n but_o that_o these_o may_v be_v far_o better_a conclude_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n in_o this_o conclusion_n i_o speak_v of_o a_o miracle_n as_o understand_v to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o work_n that_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n or_o be_v believe_v to_o do_v so_o for_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o destroy_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n or_o to_o interrupt_v it_o or_o to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o then_o certain_o it_o can_v not_o only_o give_v we_o no_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n will_v take_v from_o we_o all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o natural_o have_v and_o make_v we_o doubt_v of_o god_n and_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n nor_o do_v i_o here_o acknowledge_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o work_n contrary_a to_o nature_n and_o a_o work_n above_o nature_n that_o be_v as_o some_o be_v please_v to_o speak_v a_o work_v not_o in_o truth_n repugnant_a to_o nature_n but_o which_o can_v be_v produce_v or_o effect_v by_o her_o power_n alone_o for_o since_o a_o miracle_n be_v do_v non_fw-la extra_fw-la naturam_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o ipsa_fw-la natura_fw-la though_o it_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v supra_fw-la naturam_fw-la yet_o still_o must_v it_o interrupt_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v from_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n fix_v and_o immutable_a if_o therefore_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v in_o nature_n that_o shall_v not_o follow_v from_o her_o law_n it_o will_v necessary_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o order_n which_o god_n have_v by_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n establish_v in_o the_o universe_n and_o consequent_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o will_v make_v we_o doubt_v of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o lead_v we_o into_o atheism_n and_o thus_o if_o i_o be_v not_o gross_o mistake_v in_o the_o force_n of_o the_o reason_n here_o allege_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v what_o in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o intend_v and_o from_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o take_v liberty_n to_o conclude_v de_fw-fr novo_fw-la that_o a_o miracle_n against_o nature_n or_o above_o nature_n be_v a_o mere_a absurdity_n and_o therefore_o that_o by_o a_o miracle_n in_o holy_a scripture_n nothing_o else_o can_v right_o be_v understand_v but_o such_o a_o work_n of_o nature_n which_o either_o real_o transcend_v humane_a understanding_n or_o be_v believe_v to_o do_v so_o ix_o nevertheless_o for_o more_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o new_a doctrine_n i_o think_v myself_o concern_v to_o confirm_v that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o affirm_v that_o from_o miracle_n we_o can_v know_v god_n this_o i_o humble_o conceive_v may_v be_v do_v by_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o for_o though_o they_o no_o where_o ex_fw-la professo_fw-la and_o plain_o teach_v that_o position_n viz._n that_o god_n be_v not_o make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o miracle_n
yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v find_v in_o they_o many_o place_n from_o which_o right_o understand_v the_o same_o may_v be_v conclude_v easy_o and_o genuine_o among_o these_o chief_o from_o that_o of_o deuteronomy_n 13._o where_o moses_n command_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o put_v to_o death_n a_o false_a and_o seduce_a prophet_n though_o he_o shall_v work_v miracle_n the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n be_v these_o in_o our_o most_o correct_a translation_n if_o there_o arise_v among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v unto_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul._n and_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n etc._n etc._n from_o which_o it_o clear_o follow_v that_o miracle_n may_v be_v wrought_v even_o by_o false_a prophet_n and_o that_o man_n unless_o they_o be_v well_o guard_v by_o the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o cordial_a love_n of_o god_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v induce_v by_o miracle_n to_o embrace_v and_o serve_v false_a god_n as_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n for_o he_o add_v because_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v he_o etc._n etc._n second_o the_o israelite_n can_v not_o from_o so_o many_o miracle_n form_n in_o their_o mind_n any_o sound_a conception_n or_o notion_n of_o god_n or_o his_o providence_n as_o experience_n itself_o testify_v for_o when_o they_o have_v persuade_v themselves_o that_o moses_n be_v go_v from_o they_o present_o they_o importune_v aaron_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o visible_a deity_n and_o to_o the_o indelible_a shame_n of_o their_o nation_n embrace_v the_o image_n of_o a_o calf_n for_o a_o idea_n or_o representation_n of_o their_o god_n which_o they_o at_o length_n from_o so_o many_o miracle_n form_v to_o themselves_o asaph_z also_o though_o he_o have_v often_o hear_v of_o and_o believe_v all_o the_o miracle_n do_v among_o his_o ancestor_n yet_o doubt_v of_o god_n providence_n and_o have_v deflect_v from_o the_o right_a way_n of_o absolute_a dependence_n thereupon_o have_v he_o not_o at_o last_o understand_v true_a happiness_n to_o consist_v only_o therein_o and_o religion_n in_o justice_n and_o charity_n as_o we_o read_v in_o psalm_n 73._o nor_o be_v solomon_n himself_o though_o excellent_a in_o wisdom_n and_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n too_o even_o when_o the_o affair_n of_o that_o nation_n be_v at_o the_o high_a point_n of_o prosperity_n able_a to_o form_v to_o himself_o any_o competent_a notion_n of_o god_n after_o all_o he_o have_v read_v concern_v the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n for_o he_o more_o than_o once_o eccles._n 3._o v_o 19_o 20_o 21._o and_o chap._n 9_o v._n 2_o 3_o etc._n etc._n confess_v he_o suspect_v all_o thing_n to_o happen_v by_o chance_n so_o far_o seem_v he_o to_o have_v be_v from_o conclude_v a_o divine_a providence_n from_o belief_n of_o those_o miracle_n and_o as_o for_o the_o prophet_n it_o may_v be_v without_o much_o labour_n collect_v from_o their_o write_n that_o few_o or_o none_o of_o they_o well_o understand_v how_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o event_n of_o man_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o consist_v with_o the_o conception_n or_o notion_n they_o have_v form_v in_o their_o mind_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n which_o yet_o have_v be_v always_o very_o clear_a to_o philosopher_n who_o endeavour_n from_o clear_a conception_n right_o to_o understand_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v those_o i_o mean_v who_o constitute_v true_a felicity_n in_o nothing_o but_o virtue_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o mind_n not_o study_v to_o bring_v nature_n to_o obey_v they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o bring_v themselves_o to_o obey_v nature_n as_o certain_o know_v that_o god_n direct_v nature_n as_o the_o universal_a law_n thereof_o not_o as_o the_o particular_a law_n of_o humane_a nature_n require_v and_o so_o that_o he_o take_v care_v not_o only_o of_o mankind_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a universe_n constant_a it_o be_v therefore_o and_o that_o too_o even_o from_o sacred_a writ_n that_o miracle_n do_v not_o give_v a_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n nor_o clear_o teach_v his_o providence_n which_o be_v what_o i_o design_v to_o prove_v and_o as_o for_o what_o be_v find_v in_o some_o place_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o to_o some_o unattentive_a reader_n may_v seem_v perhaps_o irreconcilable_a to_o this_o my_o doctrine_n as_o in_o exod._n 10._o v_o 2._o that_o god_n harden_v the_o heart_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o show_v wonderful_a sign_n before_o they_o that_o the_o israelite_n may_v know_v he_o to_o be_v god_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o miracle_n do_v in_o truth_n teach_v we_o to_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v god_n but_o only_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v such_o opinion_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o convince_v by_o those_o miracle_n for_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o prophetic_a reason_n mention_v in_o scripture_n or_o such_o as_o be_v form_v from_o revelation_n be_v draw_v not_o from_o universal_a and_o common_a notion_n but_o from_o the_o grant_v however_o absurd_a opinion_n of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o thing_n be_v reveal_v or_o who_o the_o holy_a spirit_n intend_v to_o convince_v which_o may_v here_o if_o i_o have_v not_o firm_o resolve_v not_o to_o prolong_v this_o discourse_n by_o digression_n be_v prove_v from_o many_o example_n and_o also_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o with_o the_o greek_n make_v himself_o a_o greek_a and_o with_o the_o jew_n a_o jew_n that_o be_v conform_v his_o doctrine_n sometime_o to_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o grecian_n sometime_o to_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n but_o though_o the_o miracle_n do_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o egyptian_n may_v convince_v they_o and_o the_o jew_n also_o from_o their_o common_a opinion_n yet_o can_v they_o not_o give_v a_o true_a idea_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o only_o bring_v both_o nation_n to_o concede_fw-la that_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a numen_fw-la more_o powerful_a than_o all_o thing_n know_v to_o they_o and_o that_o this_o divine_a numen_fw-la take_v more_o care_n of_o the_o hebrew_n all_o who_o affair_n at_o that_o time_n succeed_v most_o happy_o even_o above_o their_o hope_n than_o of_o the_o egyptian_n or_o any_o other_o people_n whatever_o but_o not_o that_o god_n take_v equal_a care_n of_o all_o man_n which_o philosophy_n alone_o can_v teach_v and_o therefore_o the_o jew_n and_o all_o other_o man_n who_o have_v not_o unless_o from_o the_o disparile_a state_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o the_o unequal_a fortune_n of_o man_n know_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o jew_n nation_n be_v more_o belove_v by_o god_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n though_o the_o jew_n exceed_v not_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n or_o in_o their_o inclination_n to_o virtue_n and_o piety_n as_o may_v be_v soon_o collect_v from_o their_o history_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o miracle_n teach_v not_o man_n the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o providence_n and_o find_v myself_o at_o liberty_n to_o proceed_v to_o my_o x._o three_o position_n which_o you_o may_v remember_v to_o be_v this_o that_o according_a to_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o by_o the_o decree_n and_o command_v of_o god_n and_o consequent_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n nothing_o else_o be_v signify_v but_o the_o six_o and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v that_o when_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o god_n or_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o do_v real_o mean_a no_o other_o but_o this_o that_o the_o fact_n be_v perform_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n not_o as_o the_o vulgar_a think_v that_o nature_n cease_v to_o proceed_v in_o her_o due_a course_n whilst_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o do_v or_o that_o her_o order_n be_v for_o some_o time_n interrupt_v the_o scripture_n indeed_o do_v not_o direct_o teach_v such_o thing_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o because_o it_o design_n not_o to_o show_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o thing_n nor_o to_o teach_v thing_n mere_o speculative_a and_o therefore_o what_o i_o here_o propose_v to_o myself_o to_o